Oppose Political Repression in the Philippines! Free Crispin Beltran and Joel Virador!
At this juncture in our nation's history, the Filipino people stand united against the incumbent illegitimate president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's attacks against civil and democratic rights.
By imposing a state of national emergency via the illegal and immoral Proclamation 1017, Arroyo's corrupt government is trying to buy more time for its beleaguered self.
Failing to convince the public of its innocence of charges of corruption, political repression and electoral fraud, Macapagal-Arroyo is resorting to dictatorial means to curb growing dissent and restiveness not only within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but among the mass population long sickened and disgusted with Arroyo.
Presidential Proclamation 1017 means warrantless arrests, arbitrary takeover of public utilities and industries, intensified military operations especially in the provinces, and a crackdown on the media and the freedom of speech.
The legislators of the progressive party-lists Bayan Muna (People First), Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) and Gabriela Women's Party are included in the government hit list.
Well-known labor leader turned lawmaker Crispin Beltran was arrested on February 24. A few days later on February 27, Bayan Muna solon Joel Virador was also arrested.
The four other lawmakers Bayan Muna solons Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza have been put under the custody of the House of Representatives, but they stand to be arrested at any time .
These lawmakers and the political parties they represent are at the forefront of the Filipino people's relentless campaign against the burgeoning dictatorship under Arroyo.
Crispin Beltran is a labor leader.
Satur Ocampo a well-known human rights advocate.
Rafael Mariano is a peasant activist.
Liza Maza is a staunch defender of women and children?s rights.
Joel Virador is a vocal critic of US intervention in Philippine affairs.
Teddy Casino has a long history of student activism.
We seek the support of the Filipino youth and people, Church and welfare organizations, the media and our democracy-loving political leaders in denouncing the Macapagal-Arroyo government's worsening attacks against our civil, democratic and human rights. We urge all Filipino youth to help us in our struggle for genuine freedom and democracy in the Philippines.
Please make your stand be known.
Write to H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo President of the Republic of the Philippines, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila, Philippines as well as other media institutions abroad and in the Philippines, and inform them of your solidarity with the Filipino people.
Defend the Filipino people's civil and political rights!
Free all political prisoners of the Arroyo government!
Fight the burgeoning Macapagal-Arroyo dictatorship!
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It is interesting to consider some problems in the broad united front and mass movement to oust the Arroyo regime and try to solve them. These problems are already well known to the public. It has become commonplace for people to ask questions revolving around the main question of why the ouster of the Arroyo cannot be accomplished quickly in a legal and nonviolent way.
1. The problem of ensuring the legal and nonviolent ouster of Arroyo from power in view of her determination to use violence against the people and the military and police officers who are against her fraudulently acquired presidency.
Solution: There is no other way to ensure the legal and non-violent ouster of the Arroyo regime but for the broad united front of patriotic, progressive and anti-Arroyo forces (coalitions, political parties and mass organizations) to muster its own organized following and mobilize the broad masses of the people to assert their sovereign will, exercise their democratic rights and encourage the military and forces of the reactionary government to side with the people and withdraw support from the regime.
The Filipino people have gained rich experience in overcoming the violence posed by the previous regimes of Marcos and Estrada by employing the policy of broad united front, which is open to the participation of civilian and military officials and personnel of the reactionary government in the movement to oust an incumbent ruling clique.
The broad masses of the people have long hated the Arroyo regime for electoral fraud, corruption, subservience to foreign interests, extreme conditions of exploitation and rampant human rights violations. The Arroyo regime is now far more isolated and far weaker than the Marcos fascist regime in the years of 1983 to 1986 or the Estrada regime from 1999 to 2001.
It has made the fatal mistake of inflicting the tyrannical Proclamation 1017 on the people and threatening them with fascist dictatorship under conditions of economic, political and moral bankruptcy. However, it believes that it can get US support for its escalating use of violence and its prolongation in power in exchange for charter change that seeks to embody the anti-national and anti-democratic dictates of US imperialism.
The political situation is combustible. All that is needed is for the organized forces of the broad united front to do their best in mustering their strength and mobilizing the people to exercise their right to speak and assemble and work for the ouster of the regime. The objective conditions for ousting the regime are exceedingly favorable. It is all a matter of the subjective forces strengthening themselves and rallying the people in their millions on a nationwide scale.
2. The problem of varied platforms or programs of the varied coalitions, political parties and mass organizations in the broad united front.
Solution: The varied forces in the broad united front can unite on a concise one-page platform or program containing the most important basic points that they can agree on.. Such platform or program can include the following points:
a. Replacement of the illegitimate and immoral Arroyo regime due to the commission of electoral fraud, plunder, treason, human rights violations and other grave crimes against the people.
b. Upholding of civilian supremacy and civil liberties and nullification of Proclamation 1017 and all its oppressive consequences.
c. Defend national sovereignty and independence and protect the national patrimony.
d. Carry out genuine land reform and national industrialization and generate employment and livelihood for the people.
e. Promote a patriotic, democratic and scientific culture among the youth and entire people
f. Undertake an independent foreign policy for peace and development and develop closest relations with neighboring countries.
g. Pursue the peace negotiations with the NDFP and MILF and achieve just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the armed conflict.
h. Drawing up a new democratic constitution and holding elections within a year after the ouster of the Arroyo regime.
3. The problem of having no single leader to replace Arroyo and the related problem of forming the appropriate bodies for accommodating the representatives of all major forces (coalitions, political parties and mass organizations) contributing significantly to the movement to oust Arroyo.
Solution: Apparently having no single leader to replace Arroyo is not really a problem. The important thing is having a concise program on which to unite and having certain bodies which shall eventually be used for choosing the principal leader among so many leaders. The following bodies can be formed:
a. The Transition Council (any similar name to suggest its revolutionary, patriotic or democratic character will do) is the highest policy-making body and it elects its Executive Committee. It includes the representatives of all major coalitions, political parties, mass organizations and groups of retired military and police officers. It may be as large as 100 to 200.
b. The Executive Committee carries out the policies and tasks decided by the Transition Council. It directs the work of various subcommittees focused on certain tasks, including development of the program, reorganization of government, and so on. It is the provisional cabinet. It may have 15 to 30 members.
c. Roundtable Council of Advisors to include former presidents and other senior personages.
d. Unified Command to include representatives of major groups of retired and active military and police officers. It can surface fully after the ouster of the Arroyo regime.
4. What are the consequences of delay in the ousting of the Arroyo regime, particularly because such delay is due to the regime?s use of preemptive violence against the people, the opposition parties, mass organizations and even against military and police officers suspected of being against the regime?
a. The anti-Arroyo military and police officers and personnel might ultimately undertake forcible preemptive actions to oust the regime (in concert with the growing mass protests and clamor for the ouster of the regime) because in the first place the Arroyo regime uses violence to prolong itself in power.
b. The crisis of the ruling system will become deeper and graver. The prospect of revolutionary change grows brighter as the broad masses of the people are outraged by the prolonged reign of terror and greed and they demand revolutionary change. The armed revolutionary movement will continue to flourish and win political and military victories in the countryside.
c. The regime is preoccupied with trying to survive in the national capital region. It is drawing the military and police forces to guard the regime and its facilities in the cities and trunklines. It is thereby thinning out these forces in the countryside, Under these circumstances, the people?s army can take more initiative in launching tactical offensives and thus grow in strength and advance.
5. After the ouster of the Arroyo regime, will not the pro-US Right prevail in a new regime and, together with their pseudo-progressive hangers on, try to exclude from the government the patriotic and progressive legal forces and even deny the role of the national democratic movement in the ouster of Arroyo, as in the previous ousters of Marcos and Estrada?
It is highly probable that the pro-US Right would still prevail and would hire pseudo-progressives to keep on denigrating the national democratic movement. That is because the bureaucratic and military machinery of the reactionary government remains intact despite the ouster of the ultra-Right and fascist Arroyo ruling clique and also despite the emergence of a progressive movement among the civilian and military personnel of the reactionary government. Nevertheless, we must recognize the unprecedentedly new phenomena in the ever developing situation.
The chronic crisis of the ruling system has reached such a point that the intrasystemic anti-Arroyo forces, civilian and military, need to cooperate more conspicuously than ever before with the national democratic movement in ousting the Arroyo regime and to engage the legal patriotic and progressive forces in a new government if their objective is to have some relative stability at least for a while.
The process of ousting the ultra-Right and fascist Arroyo regime is strengthening both the legal and revolutionary forces of the national democratic movement. At the same time, the revolutionary forces have openly manifested interest in negotiations with the post-Arroyo government for a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the armed conflict.
However, if the reactionary government under a new ruling clique chooses to further pursue the armed counterrevolution, the revolutionary forces of the people are obviously prepared to further advance the armed revolution against ruling system that is acutely crisis-stricken and is clearly in a state of decomposition. ###
Statement by Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
February 27, 2006
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Dalawampung taon matapos bumagsak ang diktadurang Marcos sa mapayapang pag-aalsa ng mamamayan sa EDSA, nakaambang muli ang panunumbalik ng lagim ng Batas Militar sa ilalim ng Presidential Proclamation 1017 o State of National Emergency ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Paano nga ba ibinabalik ng State of National Emergency (Proclamation 1017) ni Arroyo ang Batas Militar? Ano ang pagkakahalintulad ng Proclamation 1017 at Batas Militar?
BATAS MILITAR
· Pag-aresto at pagkulong ng walang kaukulang warrant sa mga lider ng oposisyon, mga lider ng mga militanteng grupo at indibidwal na kritikal sa pamahalaan
· Pagpapasara ng mass media, maliban sa mga istasyon o publikasyon na kontrolado ng gobyerno· Pagsikil sa freedom of the press
· Pagbabawal sa kahit anong rally o asembleya o paggu-grupo-grupo ng mga tao· Pagbabawal sa kahit anong aktibidad na laban sa gobyerno· Pagsikil sa freedom of assembly at freedom of expression
STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY
· Pag-aresto at pagkulong ng walang kaukulang warrant sa mga lider ng oposisyon, mga lider ng mga militanteng grupo at indibidwal na kritikal sa pamahalaan
· Pag-raid at pagpapasara o pag-takeover ng mga media outfit na kilalang kritikal o bumabatikos sa pamahalaang Arroyo
· Pagsikil sa freedom of the press
· Pagbabawal sa kahit anong rally at pagkakansela ng mga nauna nang inisyu na rally permit
· Marahas na pagbuwag sa kahit anong kilos protesta laban sa gobyerno
· Pagbabawal ng pagsasagawa ng press conference na tumutuligsa sa gobyerno
· Pagsikil sa freedom of assembly at freedom of expression
Hindi pa man pormal na idinedeklara ni Arroyo ang Batas Militar, dinakip at ikinulong ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa Camp Crame si Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran ilang oras matapos ibaba ang State of National Emergency. Kasama na rin sanang nakakulong si Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo kung hindi nito natakasan ang mga miyembro ng PNP na inatasang dakpin siya.
Ni-raid naman ng pulisya ang imprenta at opisina ng Daily Tribune at tinangka ring pasukin ang tanggapan ng Abante.
Inaasahang darami pa ang mga ganitong kaso ng warrantless arrests at iligal na raid sa mga susunod na araw kung pagbabatayan ang sinabi ng PNP at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na may hawak itong listahan ng mga ?kasabwat? sa bigong kudeta. Sinasabing kabilang sa listahang ito ang ilang retiradong heneral, mga lider ng oposisyon at militanteng mga grupo, ilang obispo at mga miyembro ng media, na pawang mga mahihigpit na kritiko ni Arroyo.
Ano ang epekto ng Proclamation 1017 sa ating mga kabataa?t estudyante?
Matapos ideklara ang State of National Emergency, kaagad na nagpakalat ng mga miyembro ng SWAT, pulisya at mga di unipormadong intelligence operatives ang AFP at PNP sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) sa Diliman at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) sa Sta. Mesa na mga kilalang hotbed ng student activism.
Unti-unting ginagawang garrison ng State of National Emergency ni Arroyo ang mga eskwelahan, upang bantayan ang kilos ng mga student council, organizations at campus press na kilalang kritikal sa gobyerno.
Sa pagtindi ng sitwasyong pulitikal sa bansa, hindi rin malayong dumulo ang Proclamation 1017 sa arbitraryong pagpapasara ng mga student council at publications at ang pagdampot sa mga lider estudyante.
Ganun din ang ginagawa ngayon sa iba?t ibang komunidad, partikular sa Metro Manila. Nagkalat na ang mga checkpoint at hindi rin malayong magsagawa ng pagsosona para habulin ang mga organisador at miyembro ng mga anti-Arroyong pangmasang organisasyon sa mga komunidad. Maaari ring magpatupad ng curfew sa mga susunod na araw katulad ng ginawa noong Batas Militar.
Bakit nagdeklara si Arroyo ng State of National Emergency?
Kahit kailan, hindi naging marka ng kalakasan ang paggamit ng dahas at panunupil. Sinasalamin ng State of National Emergency ang isang gobyernong nasa bingit na ng pagbagsak.
Malinaw ang pakay ni Arroyo sa pagdedeklara ng State of National Emergency. Ito ay upang isalba ang kanyang rehimen mula sa tuluyang pagguho, pigilan ang sunud-sunod na pagbaligtad sa hanay ng militar at durugin ang lumalakas ng kilusang anti-Arroyo.
Ano ang ating magagawa?
Sa ganitong pangyayari, patuloy na nailalantad ang tunay na mukha ni Arroyo at napapatunayan ang kawastuhan at pangangailangan na kagyat na siyang paalisin sa pwesto.
Hinahamon ng kasalukuyang panahon ang bawat kabataan at mamamayan na lumaban sa panibagong diktadura. Mag-isip at magpaunlad ng iba?t ibang mga mapanlikhang paraan ng pagprotesta laban sa umuusbong na diktadurya ni Arroyo.
Sa harap ng matinding panunupil, ngayon ang panahon ng pagtindig at pagkilos. Sa halip na matakot, ito ang panahon upang higit na magkaisa upang ipagtanggol ang ating kalayaan, demokrasya at mga lehitimong karapatan.
Makibaka, huwag matakot!
Ipagtanggol ang kalayaan, demokrasya at karapatan!
Patalisikin ang Diktadurang Arroyo!
Youth Demanding Arroyo?s Removal (YOUTH DARE)
Gloria Step down Movement of the Youth (GSM-Youth)
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Paigtingin ang pakikibaka! Biguin ang state of emergency ng pasistang rehimeng Arroyo!Pebrero 27, 2006
Ang deklarasyon ng State of National Emergency, sa bisa ng Presidential Proclamation 1017, ay isang desperadong hakbang ng lubhang nahihiwalay at nabubulok na rehimeng US-Arroyo. Nananawagan ang Bayan sa lahat ng mga balangay at kasaping organisasyon nito na maging matatag sa gitna ng tumitinding panunupil at paigtingin ang pakikibaka para alisin ang papet, pasista, pahirap sa masang rehimen.
Ipinapakita ng malawak na hanay na anti-Arroyo ang determinasyong biguin ang mapanindak na proklamasyon. Sa kabila ng deklarasyon ay nagtuloy ang mga malalaking protesta sa NCR at sa buong kapuluan.
Palaban ang iba't ibang grupo; nagsasanib at nagtutulungan para laban ang mga desperadong hakbang ng rehimen.
Tinangka mang buwagin ang ilang mga protesta ay nagawa pa ring makapagtipon at makapagpahayag ng iba' t ibang grupo sa iba't ibang paraan. Ang mga pag-aresto at tangkang pag-aresto sa mga lider ng kilusang anti-Arroyo ay umani ng malapad na pagkondena mula sa iba't ibang sektor ng lipunan.
Ang tuwirang atake sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag, sa kaso ng raid sa imprenta ng Daily Tribune, ay isyung nagbubuklod sa mass media para labanan ang panunupil. Nanindigan ang mga pangunahing samahan at organisasyon sa media laban sa panunupil sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag.
Patuloy na nananawagan ng pagbibitiw ni Arroyo si dating pangulong Aquino. Si Ramos naman ay naglabas na ng pinaka-kritikal niyang komentaryo sa rehimen sa pagsasabing mala-Marcos ang deklarasyon ng state of emergency at ang suporta niya sa rehimen ay nagmamaliw na. Iba't ibang grupo at lider ng simbahan ang kumokondena sa emergency rule. Aktibong-aktibo din ang iba't ibang samahan ng abogado na lalabanan ang PD1017
sa korte.
Ang state of emergency ay hindi palalagpasin ng mamamayang lumalaban. Naninindigan ang iba't ibang pwersa't grupo na hindi maaaring hayaang bumalik ang madilim na yugto ng batas militar ni Marcos.
Palaban ang kilusang masa at ang buong malapad na hanay na anti-Arroyo. Determinado sila na biguin sa lalong madaling panahon ang terror na isinasambulat ni Arroyo.
Patuloy nating ilunsad, paigtingin at palaganapin ang mga iba't ibang tipo ng kilos protesta sa iba't ibang antas. Makipagtulungan sa iba't ibang grupong anti-Arroyo. Maglunsad ng mga pagtitipon, misang bayan, prusisyon, teach-ins, forum at iba pa. Maglabas ng mga pahayag, magsuot ng mga ribbon at pins, ipakita ang lantad na paglaban sa emergency rule. Sa kalagayan ng matinding panunupil, maging mapanlikha sa mga porma ng protesta at pagtitipon. Abutin ang pinakamalapad na hanay ng masa, panggitnang pwersa at maging mga konserbatibong anti-Arroyo.
Huwag masindak. Tuloy ang laban, hanggang sa tagumpay!
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Below is the full text of the controversial General Order No. 5 which directs the military to prevent and suppress ?lawless violence? in the face of national emergency. This was retrieved from http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/go_no5.htm.
MALACAÑANG PALACE
MANILA
GENERAL ORDER NO. 5
DIRECTING THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE FACE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY, TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC PEACE, ORDER AND SAFETY AND TO PREVENT AND SUPPRESS LAWLESS VIOLENCE
WHEREAS; over these past months, elements in the political opposition have conspired with authoritarian of the extreme left represented by the NDF-CPP-NPA and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists - the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State - who are now in a tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, ver a broad front, to bring down the duly-constituted Government elected in May 2004;
WHEREAS; these conspirators have repeatedly tried to bring down our republican government;
WHEREAS; the claims of these elements have been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media;
WHEREAS; this series of actions is hurting the Philippine State by obstructing governance, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people?s confidence in government and their faith in the future of this country;
WHEREAS; these actions are adversely affecting the economy;
WHEREAS; these activities give totalitarian forces of the both extreme Left and extreme Right the opening to intensify their avowed aims to bring down the democratic Philippine State;
WHEREAS; Article 2, Section 4 of our Constitution makes the defense and preservation of the democratic institutions and the State the primary duty of Government;
WHEREAS; the activities above described, their consequences, ramifications and collateral effects constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and integrity of the Philippine State and of the Filipino people;
WHEREAS; Proclamation 1017 dated February 24, 2006 has been issued declaring a State of National Emergency;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution as President of the Republic of the Philippines, and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No.1017 dated February 24, 2006, do hereby call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism and lawless violence in the country;
I hereby direct the Chief of Staff of the AFP and the Chief of the PNP, as well as the officers and men of the AFP and PNP, to immediately carry out the necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism and lawless violence.
City of Manila, February 24, 2006.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
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Ka Satur has eluded arrest this morning and is currently in hiding. The following message was read by Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr, chairman of Bayan Muna, at a vigil and solidarity gathering held tonight, Feb. 25,2006, at the La Salle Greenhills chapel
MESSAGE FROM SATUR OCAMPO
President and Partylist Representative, Bayan MunaDeputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives
Feb. 25, 2006
Much as I would like to be with you tonight, the developments within the last 24 hours, especially the attempted forcible abduction against me this morning, has constrained me from exposing myself in public, lest I succumb to the dangers posed by the rampaging monster that is the Arroyo regime.
Indeed, my colleagues from the Independent Bloc of progressive partylist organizations and myself are faced with grave danger after Mrs. Arroyo's declaration of a state of national emergency. Between 8 to 8:30 this morning, Anakpawis Partylist Representative Crispin Beltran was forcibly abducted on his way to a House Minority pressconference and arbitrarily detained at Camp Crame for "questioning."The absurd basis for the illegal police action was a two decade-old trumped-up case filed against him by the Marcos dictatorship in 1985.
A few hours later, emerging from the said press conference at SuloHotel, I was almost abducted by at least three police agents in civilian clothing with their guns drawn - one had a high powered rifle and the other two were armed with automatic pistols - who blocked my vehicle in front of the Hotel in full view of the media. Luckily, Iwas riding a different car so they ended up arresting my driver and aide.
I was one of the longest-held political prisoners during martial law. I do not particularly mind being arrested for my political beliefs. The problem is when the arrest is made arbitrarily and without dueprocess, like the attempted arrest this morning where the authorities did not even have the decency to formally serve a warrant of arrest. Instead, they resorted to the martial-law tactic of blocking my vehicle and threateningly waving their firearms like I was some fugitive of the law. Who knows what could have happened had I been in that vehicle? Remember, more than 80 of Bayan Muna's leaders have been summarily executed since Mrs. Arroyo took power in 2001.
Friends and comrades in arms, what happened yesterday and this morningcannot be taken lightly. The declaration of a state of nationalemergency is not only patently illegal; it is also aimed at suppressing the civil liberties and political rights of our people. How else can we explain the bellicose pronouncements from Malacañang,the blanket ban on rallies and demonstrations, the violent dispersal of our peaceful assemblies, the closure and harrassment of critical media outlets, and the arbitrary and illegal arrest of opposition figures?
Mrs. Arroyo's true colors have emerged. Her regime is nothing but a fascist dictatorship in the works.I therefore appeal to you, on this 20th anniversary of the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship, to hold fast to our hard-earned rights and liberties. Let us not be cowed by the Arroyo regime's fascist tricks. Never again should martial rule destroy our country.
More than this, we should continually press for Mrs. Arroyo's removal from office. Only her removal will prevent the setting up of another dictatorship that is more brutal and more corrupt. Together, let us struggle for a just, sovereign and democratic Philippines.
Makibaka, huwag matakot!
Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino
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Newsflash:Tribune office
raided and shut down today. Congressman Crispin
Beltran arrested while Congressman Satur
Ocampo and other party-list legislators elude arrest.
Here's an update from Anakpawis public information desk:
12:30 PM - Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran is currently being held by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the charge of inciting to rebellion, Atty. Romeo Capulong disclosed just now.
Rep. Beltran was previously 'invited for questioning' and escorted to Camp Crame earlier this morning. But during Rep. Beltran's questioning by the CIDG, officials presented to the progressive party list solon an arrest order for Criminal Case Number Q-21905, People of the Philippines vs. Crispin Beltran, on charges of inciting to rebellion.
'We strongly protest this arrest as an act of harassment and persecution. This arrest is illegal,' Atty. Capulong noted. The international human rights lawyer is currently with Rep. Beltran at the CIDG.
The arrest warrant is basing its charges on a previous charge of sedition filed against Beltran during the Marcos regime. However, Atty. Capulong said that the prior case of sedition filed against Beltran has been already quashed shortly after EDSA 1.
Rep. Beltran was summoned to Camp Crame without a warrant presented prior to his arrest and is currently undergoing questioning by the CIDG under the Office of the Anti-Organized Crime and Businessmen Concerns Division, barely a day after Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency yesterday via Proclamation 1017.
Beltran, along with his wife Rosario and four other companions, were accosted by a certain Maj. Rene Corpuz and another unidentified person, both reportedly from the CIDG, at the gate of Francisco III Subdivision in Muzon, Bulacan around 10 am today.
Both inviting officers did not present a warrant and were both in uniform and armed.
Rep. Beltran and his group were escorted by two armed personnel in Rep. Beltran's van, followed by a black van bearing the plate number GRP-134, to Camp Crame.
Rosario Beltran, who is currently at the CIDG, says that the CIDG under Maj. Corpuz presented a warrant of arrest only while Beltran was undergoing questioning at past 11 am today. The warrant reportedly provides for Beltran's release only on condition that he provides proof of clearance in a sedition case filed against him under the Marcos administration.
Atty. Romeo Capulong has already arrived at the CIDG in order to provide legal assistance to Beltran.
Anakpawis Vice-President Carmen Deunida soundly denounced Rep. Beltran's illegal arrest and detention, saying that the spate of warrantless arrests of progressive party list leaders this morning, along with reports of the government raid on the Daily Tribune, were all part of a 'systematic crackdown aiming to suppress all avenues and personalities actively calling for Pres. Arroyo's just ouster'.
'This is all part of a mad, desperate and vain attempt of a corrupt and illegitimate head of state to prevent the surging tide of people's righteous anger and protests and a pro-people military rebellion to cling a little longer to the presidency in her insatiable lust for power,' Deunida said.
'This crackdown on progressives is bound to fail and will only hasten her downfall. It will not save her skin at all. She will fall more ignominiously than Marcos sooner than later, everyone should defy and fight her and her shameless and unthinking cohorts who are mindful only of their privileges in her coattails,' Deunida said.
'Manghuli siya kung gusto niya, mas matinding lagapak ng bagsak ang aabutin niya kapag tuluyang napoot ang taongbayan sa kanyang pasistang pamamahala,' Deunida said.
'The emergency declaration has sealed the early downfall of the gma regime it speaks in thousands of words how vile, repressive, corrupt, and power greedy this regime has become,' Deunida added.
Deunida called for the immediate release of Rep. Beltran and a halt to the illegal mass arrests of civilians critical of the Arroyo administration.
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MALACAÑANG PALACE MANILA
PROCLAMATION NO. 1017
PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, over these past months, elements in the political opposition have conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left represented by the NDF-CPP-NPA and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists ? the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State ? who are now in tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly constituted Government elected in May 2004.
WHEREAS, these conspirators have repeatedly tried to bring down the President;
WHEREAS, the claims of these elements have been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media;
WHEREAS, this series of actions is hurting the Philippine State ? by obstructing governance including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people?s confidence in government and their faith in the future of this country;
WHEREAS, these actions are adversely affecting the economy;
WHEREAS, these activities give totalitarian forces of both the extreme Left and extreme Right the opening to intensity their avowed aims to bring down the democratic Philippine State;
WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 4 of our Constitution makes the defense and preservation of the democratic institutions and the State the primary duty of Government;
WHEREAS, the activities above-described, their consequences, ramifications and collateral effects constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and the integrity of the Philippine State and of the Filipino people;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by Section 18, Article 7 of the Philippine Constitution which states that:
" The President... whenever it becomes necessary,...may call out (the) armed forces to prevent or suppress...rebellion...," and in my capacity as their Commander-in-Chief, do hereby command the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well any act of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction; and as provided in Section 17, Article 12 of the Constitution do hereby declare a State of National Emergency.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and six.
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO President Republic of the Philippines
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A student activist leader in the University of the East in Caloocan (UE-Caloocan) was
reported to have been beaten up by a security guard last February 16. Witnesses claim, that an administration official of the University even watched and did nothing as Marnel Molina, a member of Anakbayan in UE-Caloocan, was being punched.
Yesterday meanwhile, we recieved through email, an open letter signed by several UP student leaders, reporting "alarming incidents of harrassment." The open letter informs us of cases of campus militarization and intelligence operations in UP. Part of the letter reads:
We wish to inform you of some alarming incidents of harassment committed against student leaders fromvarious organizations and formations. The following are reported events based on direct testimony and accumulated evidence:
1.Receiving intimidating messages and calls through cell phone
2.Stalking incidents inside and outside the UP campus
3.Attempts to obtain personal records from UP offices
4.Surveillance of academic areas and areas of residence
5.Clandestine inspection of organization tambayans,the University Student Council (USC) office, and the Office of the Student Regent (OSR)
6.Regular scouting of confirmed military and police elements and other highly suspicious personnel inside the campus
By our investigations, we have reason to believe that most if not all of these cases are perpetrated by regular elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as covert agents of the Intelligence Serviceof the AFP (ISAFP). In one such incident, administration employees who refused to disclose student records (3) have confirmed that theindividuals who made such demands identified themselves as operatives of the ISAFP.
These reports are very disturbing. The cases show a trend of intensifying repression inside campuses which has to be stopped in its tracks.
The continuation of the letter explains the culpability of the Arroyo administration:
We are not completely surprised about these events however. This (Arroyo) regime has earned the disgrace of generating the worst human rights conditions in the post Martial Law era. It is a government that would choose to spend people's taxes, the bulk of collections coming from the poor, on paying onerous debts rather than providing basic social services like education, health, housing, etc. It encourages systemic plunder of public funds in the bureaucracy,making us the 9th most corrupt government in the world. But worst of all, it is a regime where dissenters stare down the barrel of a gun. So many journalists, human rights workers, and activists have been assassinated over the past few years, 152 in 2005 alone. The latest victims of state terrorism are three members of Bayan Muna killed in Central Luzon this January.
Under the desperate Arroyo regime, the cases of violation of student rights will surely increase as her administration utilizes every means to stay in power, including the use of violence and even murder. Arroyo's culpability extends to the cases of repression private schools like UE as she pushes school administrations to tighten "security measures" in exchange of further tuition deregulation, in order to prevent the anti-Arroyo student circles from developing into student uprisings (remembering that student walkouts delivered tens of thousands in attendance during the past People Power uprisings).
We must oust Arroyo immediately and stop further attacks on campus freedom if we choose to go to schools, not military garrisons.
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Mahabang panahon nang isinawalang bahala ang kapakananng karaniwang pilipino. Patuloy ang inyong pagtitiis sa kahirapan ng buhay at paghihikahos upang magkaroonng sapat na kita para sa ikabubuhay ng pamilya.
Sa kabila nito umasa kayong bibigyan ng pansin nggubyerno ang inyong kalagayan ngunit kayo?y naging bigo.
Hanggang kailan ba tayo magpapaloko at magpapalipin sa gubyernong walang respeto sa pagkatao ng karaniwang Pilipino?
Hanggang kailan tayo magtitiis sa pasakit dulot ngpagsisinungaling, panlilinalang at pandaraya ng pekeng administrasyong Macapagal-Arroyo?
Ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating bansa aypagpapahiwatig ng pagkamatay ng halos walumpungmilyong pilipino na sumasalalay sa pagbabakasakalingang gubyerno, na siyang kumakatawang mekanismo para mabigyan ng maayos na pamumuhay ang bawat pilipino aymagagampanan ang tungkuling ito.
Sa halip ginamit pa ang pondong pang-agrikultura nung nakaraang elekisyon para sa interes ng iilan kapalitng kalunos lunos na kalagayan ng magsasakang Pilipino.
At isa lang ito sa mga katotohanang pilit na itinatagoat pinagtatakpan.
Ang karaniwang hamon at panalalit ng mga naghaharing uri sa naghihirap na Pilipino ay kasipagan.
Kung masipag lang daw ang mga mangagagawa, magsasaka at lahat ng maralitang pilipino ay giginhawa ang buhay nila.
Sino pa nga ba ang hihigit sa kasipagan at tiyaga ng mga manggagagawa, magsasaka, mangingisda, at ng iba panating kababayan? Na kung maari nga lang ay dagdagan rin ang oras sa bawat araw para madagdagan din angpagkakaing maihahaag sa hapag kainan at hinde mawalanng tirahan?
At sa kabila ng walang katapusang pawis at pagod ay patuloy ang papagpapakahirap at pagpapasakit??
Isa lang ang dahilan ng patuloy na karalitaan:Ang patuloy na panloloko pagsisinungaling panadarya at kasakiman ng administrasyong macapagal-arroyo. Higitpa rito ang patuloy niyang pananatili sa kapangyarihansa kabila ng pagiging huwad nito.
Panahon na para mulit tayong magkaisa para alisin anghadlang sa paglabas ng katotohanan. Panahon na paramuli tayong manindigan at kumilos para ganap namakamtan ang hinahangad na pagbabago.
Ang kinabukasan natin, ng ating mga anak, at ng ating bansa ay nakasalalay ngayon sa inyon pasiya at dangalbilang isang mamayang pilipino at di sa isang taongipinagpalit ang kapakanan ng sambayana sa pansarilinginteres upang ipagpatuloy ang paninirahan sa loob ng malakanyang.
Sa nga susunod na araw ipakita natin ang hayagangpagkadismaya sa kasalukuyang huwad na adminsitrasyong macapagal-arroyo. Ipamalas natin ng buong lakas attapang ang ating nararamdamang pagkamuhi hinde lamangsa mga protesta sa kalsada kundi sa pagsusuot na rinng pulang tali sa kaliwang braso na sumisimbolo sa tunay na sentimyento ng mamamayang Pilipino.
Magmula sa araw na ito ay panatilihin nating isuot ang pulang tali upang ipakita sa kanya kung ano nga bangkatotohanan, at sa pamamagitan nito ay imulat natinang sarado niyang isipan. Ang pagbaba niya sa kanyang pwesto ay ang pinakamaayos na paraan upang masimulanang unang hakbang tungo sa tunay na pagbabago.
1ST. LT Laurence San Juan
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13 Feb '06
Message to fellow Filipinos:
The welfare of the ordinary Filipino has long been neglected. The poor continue to suffer in poverty, struggling to eke out enough money to put food on the table for their families. They have looked to the government to address their situation, but they have been disappointed time and time again.
The elitist scoff at the cries of the poor, saying that the roots of their ills lie in their indolence, and that hard work is the solution to poverty. But, we ask, who can surpass the industry and perseverance of Filipino workers, farmers, fishermen and soldiers, who, if they could, would make the days longer if only to be able to work even more to put food on the table and keep their homes? Who, despite their unending toil, continue to live in abject misery and hardship?
Nay, we exclaim to the elitists: the reason behind our ills is the continuing greed and dishonesty of the bogus Macapagal-Arroyo administration, which will stop at nothing to remain in power. The real conditions of the country are reflected in the failure of government to perform its function of providing the mechanisms to enable its citizens to make a decent living. On the contrary, our leaders today only look after their own elite interests, demonstrated by the usurpation of the fertilizer fund for their electoral goals while our poor farmers continue to live in utter destitution.
The truth behind this issue is but one among many anomalies that the regime has committed and is covering up. We cannot continue to stay silent in the face of the suffering of the people and the neglect of a government that insults the dignity of the ordinary Filipino.
We cannot continue to tolerate the lies and deceit of the bogus Macapagal-Arroyo regime. It is time to clear the obstacles to truth.
Let us unite to let the truth come out and pave the way to the people's release from poverty. The government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the embodiment of all that we struggle against.
The future of our nation depends on our collective will and pride as Filipinos. In the next several days, let us show and proclaim our displeasure at the sham regime. Let us demonstrate our disgust, not only by going to the streets in protest but also by wearing red bands on our left arms.
Let us show the establishment that we know the truth and will no longer put up with their treachery.
In this way, we will also be telling Gloria that her stepping down from power is the first step towards genuine change.
Captain Nathaniel Rabonza
First Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan
First Lieutenant Sonny Sarmiento
First Lieutenant Patricio Bumidang
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ni Teo. S. Marasigan
Kahirapan ang madaling naging bukang-bibig sa pagpapaliwanag sa nangyari sa unang anibersaryo ng palabas na Wowowee nitong Pebrero 4. Dahil sa kahirapan, nagbaka-sakali ang libu-libo nating kababayan na sumali at manalo sa mga palaro ng nasabing programa ? na nangakong magbibigay ng maraming papremyo sa pagdiriwang nito. Kailangan nga lamang pumila: Kaya dumating ang mga pinakamaaga tatlong araw bago ang programa. Marami ang nagbaon na ng pagkain, tubig at tulugan. Kahirapan, sa kahuli-hulihan, ang dahilan sa pagkamatay ng mahigit 70 at pinsala sa mahigit 250 pa.
Madaling maunawaan ang ganitong paliwanag. Dahil tuluy-tuloy na lumiliit ang kita ng karaniwang tao, dumadausdos din ang kalidad ng pagkain niya: Mula sa dating galunggong, gulay at sardinas hanggang sa instant na pansit kanton ng marami ngayon. Kilalang masayahing tao ang mga Pilipino, pero rumurok nitong huli ang bilang ng nagpapakamatay sa atin, habang lumalaganap ang mga daing at kawalan ng pag-asa. Habang walang ibinibigay na serbisyong panlipunan ang gobyerno, lalo nitong pinipiga ang buwis sa karaniwang tao. Walang mawawala sa kanya kung subukan ang tsamba.
Pinakamalapit na maihahambing ang pagguho ng bundok ng basura sa Payatas noong 2000 na pumatay ng daan-daang maralitang nakatira doon. Sa pagsisikap mabuhay, namamatay ang mga Pilipino -- sa masasaklap na pagpapamukha ng pagiging bulok ng gobyerno at mga naghaharing uri sa bansa. Pawang nagpapatotoo ang Payatas 2000 at Ultra 2006 sa sinabi ng isang pilosopo na "Ang mga krisis ay kinakatangian mismo ng katotohanang ang luma ay namamatay na at ang bago ay hindi pa maisilang: sa ganitong pagitan, maraming klase ng nakakarimarim na sintomas ang lumilitaw."
Nakakapagduda, gayunman, kapag nagkakaisa ang iba't ibang grupo sa pagsasabing kahirapan ang sanhi ng trahedya. Totoo, pero hindi buong katotohanan. Hindi lamang kulang ang ganitong paliwanag. Sa pinakamasahol, pinagtitibay nito ang pagtingin ng mga naghaharing uri at pinapalaganap sa midya na ang maralita o ang tinatawag na 'masa' ay magugulo ? hindi sumusunod at bagkus ay lumalaban sa kaayusan. Sa ganitong paliwanag, abswelto na ang mga naghaharing uri na may responsibilidad sa nangyari. Lumilitaw na ang gusto lamang nila ay 'magpasaya' sa mga kababayan natin.
Totoong-totoo, pero hindi buong katotohanan. Gustung-gusto ng mga kumpanya sa telebisyon na magpasaya sa ating mga kababayan dahil kaakibat nito ang kanilang kita o ganansya. Partikular sa palabas na ito, napili nilang taktika 'para habulin ang kalabang nangunguna' ang pamimigay ng marami at malalaking papremyo sa mga kalahok at manonood. Dahil hindi nila kayang talunin sa pagpapatawa ang kalaban, hinahabol nila ito sa pagpapaulan ng pera. Sa likod ng mapagkawanggawang retorika, malinaw nilang pinag-iisa ang kaligayahan ng tao at ang pagkakaroon ng pera o yaman.
Nagtagumpay sila. Pero nanawagan sila ng kapangyarihang hindi nila kayang kontrolin. Noong hindi natuloy ang pangakong pamimigay ng tiket sa pagpasok at palaro noong 6:00 ng umaga, nainip ang tinatayang 50,000 kataong naghintay sa labas. Nagtipon sila sa harap ng pasukan at naggiit na makapasok. Pinapasok sila ng mga gwardya. Pagkatapos, inanunsyo na 17,000 katao lang ang makakapasok. Sa puntong ito naggiit at nagtulak ang mga nasa likod. Bumigay ang pasukan noong 6:45 ng umaga, kasabay ng malakas na patugtog ng musika. Sinasabing apat na patong ng bangkay ang naiwan.
Kailangang balansehin ang kahirapan at pananagutan sa pagpapaliwanag sa naganap. Kahit sa ganitong kwento, malinaw na may mga hakbanging maaaring ginawa para ayusin ang hanay ng mga manonood pero hindi ginawa. Hindi naging sensitibo ang mga organisador sa kinahantungan ng pang-aakit nila sa mga maralitang nagtipon sa labas ng kanilang palabas. Ginatungan pa ito ng ininterbyung 'sosyologo' ng parehong istasyon: Dahilan din daw ang 'pagkamakasarili' ng mga maralita sa nangyari. Hindi nila nauunawaan ang pwersa ng pangarap, pananampalataya, at pag-asa ng mga maralita.
Sa isang siko-analitikal na yugto, sinabi pagkatapos ni Willie Revillame: "Sa inyo na ang ratings." Lumabas din ang totoo: Hindi nagagalit-naggigiit at naiipit-namamatay ang ratings.
Sumulat sa tsmarasigan_kritika@yahoo.com
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Halos 80 katao ang namatay sa stampede sa anniversary celebration ng Wowowee kahapon. Mahigit 300 pa ang sugatan o di kaya'y nasa kritikal na kundisyon.
Balintuna sa bunton ng mga bangkay ang pananatili pa rin sa Ultra stadium ng ilang nating mga kababayan. Umaasa silang matutuloy pa rin ang palabas. May ilan kasi sa kanilang nanggaling pa sa ibayong mga probinsya, o nagpalipas na ng gabi sa labas ng Ultra. Masikip sa dibdib ang iisang sambit sa mga dosenang interbyu, "Gusto lang namin ng pagkakataong manalo ng mga premyo. Hindi namin lubos-akalaing magkakaganito."
"Hindi mo kasalanan!" Ito naman ang sigaw ng mga taga-suporta ni Wowowee Willy Revillame. Sino, kung gayon, ang may sala sa trahedyang ito?
Hindi nga naman kasalanan ni Willy. Siya na rin ang nagsabi, host lang siya. Wala siyang ibang hiling kundi mapasaya ang mga tao. Gayon din ang pahayag ni Charo Santos-Concio, "Wala kaming ibang hangad kundi bigyang pag-asa ang naghihirap na mamamayang Pilipino."
Pero ito nga malamang ang pinakamalaking trahedya ng mga noon time show na tulad ng Wowowee. Higit pa sa pagbibigay ng entertainment o kasiyahan sa mga tao, di-maikakailang nakasalalay ang popularidad ng palabas sa P2 milyon, bahay at lupa o isang pampasaherong dyip na ipinamimigay nitong papremyo bilang pang-engganyo.
Kung may kapital ang kasikatan ni Willy at ng Wowoweee, ito ay ang laganap na kahirapang dinaranas ng bansa. Hindi na basta-bastang host o artista si Willy. Kinakatawan na niya pilantropiya ng Kapamilya. Sa Wowowee, laging namimigay ng pera. Hindi ka man manalo, siguradong pamatid-gutom ang packed lunch na kanilang araw-araw na ipinamumudmod. O tiyak rin ang pamasahe man lang pauwi para sa kanilang pinakadesperadong mga tagahanga.
Ilang beses na rin nating napanood ang success stories ng ilang mga pinalad na maging instant milyunaryo. Ito malamang ang pinanghahawakan ng pinakamahirap sa mahirap nating mga kababayang nagtayo na ng mini-community sa labas ng gusali ng ABS-CBN sa Sgt. Esguerra. Ito rin marahil ang bakasakaling bitbit ng mga nanay, tatay at iba pang 'kapamilyang' matiyagang pumila at nakipagsiksikan sa Ultra kapahon ng umaga.
Kung dati'y sinabi ng magiting na si Eman Lacaba na, "Ang relihiyon ang opyo ng mamamayan," panandaliang saya at ginhawa naman ang singhot-rugby na dulot ng mga programang tulad ng Wowowee sa telebisyon.
Samantala, hindi man itinuloy ang palabas kahapon, the show must go on pa rin ngayon. Umabot ng 80 ang patay, pero pawang nagdadalamhating mga mukha ng mga paborito nating artista ang nakapokus sa kamera sa alay nilang misa kaninang umaga.
Nakagagambalang sa gitna ng pinakamasahol na trahedya sa kasaysayan ng telebisyon, nananatiling kontrolado pa rin ng network ang dikta sa ating mga emosyon.
Habang nanonood ng misa, inuudyukan tayong mag-abang kung mababasag ang boses ni Kris Aquino habang binabasa ang Liturgy of the Word; o tunghayan ang mahigpit na kapit-yakap ni Maricel Soriano kay Dolphy habang sinasambit ng pari ang kaniyang sermon.
Pagkatapos ng misa, maaantig tayo sa makabagdamdaming awit nina Gary Valenciano at Zsa Zsa Padilla sa opening number ng ASAP '06. Pagkatapos, pwede na uling tumawa. Isang komersyal lang ang transisyon at iba na uli ang tema ng mga pagpoprograma. Sina Maricel, Jay Manalo at John Estrada, na kanina lang ay humahagulgol sa misa, ngayo'y buong-ngiti nang nagtatanghal ng pangkilig nilang kanta.
Ano'ng mangyayari sa Wowowee? Masyado pang maaga para magsalita. Pero ang malinaw, the show must go on. Magpapatuloy ang mga palabas na didiktahan tayong tawanan na lang ang mga problema at umasa sa mga papremyong pera.
Samantala, unidentified pa rin ang ilang bangkay. Mamayang gabi, premiere episode na ng Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition. ###
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We have added these readings to our
list of references on the current political and economic situation:
Cha-cha and Arroyo's Political Survival Antonio Tujan, IBON
Proposed amendment to Bill of Rights: A menace to Philippine democracy NUJP
(On the House Version):
Legal Memo on the House Version of the Proposed Revisions Committee for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL)
House Version of the Proposed Revisions Easy Guide by pcij.org/blog
(On the Political Crisis)
Gumuguhong Gloria Institute of Political Economy (IPE) Jan 06 Primer Broken links have also been fixed. View the whole list
here.
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